Tim Burton’s horror-comedyBeetlejuiceintroduced the bio-exorcist Betelgeuse (often known as Beetlejuice), played by Michael Keaton. Betelgeuse describes himself as"the ghost with the most" and is usually said to be a poltergeist, but this might not be the whole story.Betelgeuse has some odd powersand one failing: he cannot say his own name. This is confirmed in a scene inBeetlejuice,in which Betelgeuse plays charades with Lydia to communicate his name, which he wants her to say three times, breaking him out of damnation. This restriction would be explained if Betelgeuse was not a ghost, but something else.
Beetlejuicedoes not give away many details about the background of the iconic character, whileBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceexpands onBetelgeuse’s backstory, confirming that he is dead, and remembers his life as a 14th-century grave robber. However, Betelgeuse does not behave like a typical ghost or poltergeist, as he uses his powers to evacuate the living from haunted houses, rather than doing the haunting. His inability to say his name might point to his true identity, as according to mythology, demons are unable to say their own names, which could mean that Betelgeuse is a demon, not a ghost.
Demon Mythology Explains Why Betelgeuse Can’t Say His Own Name - Theory Explained
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According to demon mythology, a demon is said to have power over the person who knows its true name, and Betelgeuse is able to both blackmail and use his supernatural powers to manipulate Lydia in both movies. However, the speaker can also control the demon, which happens in bothBeetlejuicemovies when the characters summon and banish Betelgeuse by saying his name three times.TheBeetlejuicemovies explore this interesting power dynamic, and while a poltergeist might have some of Betelgeuse’s powers, Betelgeuse’s inability to say his own name is more closely linked with demon mythology.
Michael Keaton’s character is called Betelgeuse, and not “Beetlejuice.” The name is seen on his tombstone in Adam Maitland’s model town, and the “real life” Betelgeuse is the second-brightest star in the constellation of Orion. It is considered an isolated star, of unknown origin, which accurately described the character inBeetlejuice.However, the name suits him less now thatBeetlejuice Beetlejuicehas introduced viewers to more of his past.Both spellings are pronounced “Beetlejuice,“so a summoner could likely use the name to gain power over the character, no matter how they spelled it.
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Though Betelgeuse tries to trick his way into escaping to the mortal world, the summoners still have power over him in bothBeetlejuicemovies. Betelgeuse appears to have no choice over where he is summoned or who by, indicating that higher powers are at work here. Betelgeuse arrives in the world of the living when his name is said three times, but the summoner can say Betelgeuse’s name three times again to send him back tothe Netherworld inBeetlejuice.This reflects the power struggle noted in demon mythologyand reinforces the theory that Betelgeuse is a demon, not just a ghost.
When Michael Keaton returned to play Betelgeuse inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, director Tim Burton compared his character transformation to being possessed by a demon.
Lydia’s power to see ghostsis established, as long as the ghost has a haunting site. However, as she can clearly see other Netherworld creatures, including the sandworm, her supernatural communication abilities extend beyond just ghosts. Lydia being able to see Betelgeuse does not mean that he is just a ghost, as she can likely see demons too.Though Betelgeuse being a demon might introduce some new rules to navigate if another sequel confirms this theory,Lydia is already familiar with the way to summon and banish Betelgeuse, making her the best-equipped character to deal with him.
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Inthe original script forBeetlejuice, the Maitlands are told about “the rule of three,” which is that everything comes in threes. This includes the Maitlands' home, as Barbara has to say the word “home” three times in order to return. It makes sense, then, thatBetelgeuse must be summoned or banished by saying his name three times. However, the number three is also significant in mythology outside of theBeetlejuicefranchise. According to witchcraft lore, it is believed that whatever you send out into the world, the world sends it back to you threefold.
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TheBeetlejuicesequel expanded Betelgeuse’s world, giving the audience more insight into the Netherworld and Betelgeuse’s life afterBeetlejuiceended. However, whileBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceexplains who Betelgeuse was when he was alive, it does not give any more clarification about what he is now that he is dead.The ending ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuicedid not rule out aBeetlejuice 3, and the movie has been successful at the box office, so the possibility is there.A thirdBeetlejuicemovie could make Betelgeuse’s demon theory canon, expand on the Netherworld lore, and would obey theBeetlejuiceuniverse’s “rule of three.”
